First Battle of Memphis

The First Battle of Memphis was an American Civil War naval battle which was fought on 6 June 1862 at Memphis, Tennessee.

Following the Battle of Island Number Ten, the Mississippi River was clear for the Union Navy as far south as Memphis, Tennessee. Two months later, a Union flotilla of 5 ironclads and 4 rams sailed down the Mississippi to attack the Confederate fleet of 8 rams guarding the city. In a battle spectated upon by the people of Memphis, the Union annihilated the Confederate fleet, with only one of their ships escaping; the Union ship USS Queen of the West was disabled. Memphis immediately surrendered to federal authority after the naval defeat, the final challenge to the federal thrust down the Mississippi towards Vicksburg. However, the Union failed to grasp the strategic importance of capturing Memphis and did not advance further for six months.